Limiting inadvertent actuations of a touchpad

ABSTRACT

Example systems described herein are configured to limit inadvertent actuations of a touchpad. The system may include a touchpad, mechanically-activated switch(es), a locking assembly, and a controller. The touchpad is configured to receive a touch input from a user. The mechanically-activated switch(es) are adjacent to the touchpad. The mechanically-activated switch(es) are configured to be activated when a depression force associated with the touch input exceeds a force threshold. The locking assembly is configured to selectively inhibit the touchpad from depressing the mechanically-activated switch(es) depending on whether one or more inhibiting criteria are satisfied. For instance, the inhibiting criteria may take into consideration an inferred intent of the user, an input mode of the touch input, and/or the depression force associated with the touch input.

BACKGROUND

Conventional computing devices (e.g., laptop computers) often havetouchpads with a surface area that is no bigger than a credit card.Inadvertent actuation of such touchpads is relatively unlikely becausethe touchpads are relatively small. Additionally, a touchpad may belocated near a side edge of a device, rather than near a lower edge ofthe device where palms or heels of a user's hands rest, further reducinga likelihood that the user's palms will inadvertently actuate thetouchpad. Today, a touchpad typically is centered near a lower edge ofthe device. For instance, the touchpad may be positioned in alignmentwith the center of a spacebar and/or an axis that is centered betweenthe F and J keys. A current trend in the marketplace is formanufacturers to provide computing devices with relatively largertouchpads (e.g., four inches in width and 3 inches in height, orlarger). A relatively larger touchpad may enable a user to manipulateand navigate a cursor on a screen of the device more easily, as comparedto the relatively smaller touchpads of the conventional devices.However, due to the relatively larger size of the touchpad, it hasbecome easier for the user to inadvertently actuate the touchpad.

SUMMARY

Various approaches are described herein for, among other things,limiting inadvertent actuations of a touchpad. An actuation of atouchpad refers to a depression of a mechanically-activated switch(e.g., a dome switch) by the touchpad with a force that is greater thanor equal to a force required to activate the mechanically-activatedswitch. An inadvertent actuation of a touchpad occurs when a user causesan actuation of the touchpad but does not intend to cause the actuationof the touchpad. For instance, the user may cause the inadvertentactuation while providing a scrolling input (e.g., using a scoopingmotion), providing an input using three or more fingers, resting a palmon the touchpad, or writing on the touchpad with a stylus.

A first example computing device includes a plurality of input devices,mechanically-activated switch(es), a hinge, a locking assembly, and acontroller. The plurality of input devices is configured to receive oneor more inputs from a user. The plurality of input devices comprises atouchpad having a touch surface that is configured to receive a touchinput from the user. The mechanically-activated switch(es) are disposedadjacent to a first end of the touchpad. The mechanically-activatedswitch(es) are configured to be activated based at least in part on thetouch input causing the touchpad to depress the mechanically-activatedswitch(es). The hinge is coupled to a second end of the touchpad that isopposite the first end of the touchpad. The touchpad is configured topivot about the hinge. The locking assembly is configured to selectivelymechanically inhibit (e.g., block) the activation of themechanically-activated switch(es) by inhibiting the touchpad frompivoting about the hinge based at least in part on a control signal. Thecontroller is configured to cause the locking assembly to mechanicallyinhibit the activation of the mechanically-activated switch(es) byproviding the control signal to the locking assembly based at least inpart on the one or more inputs of the plurality of input devices.

A second example computing device includes a plurality of input devices,mechanically-activated switch(es), a scissor mechanism, a lockingassembly, and a controller. The plurality of input devices is configuredto receive one or more inputs from a user. The plurality of inputdevices comprises a touchpad having a touch surface that is configuredto receive a touch input from the user. The mechanically-activatedswitch(es) are positioned adjacent to the touchpad. Themechanically-activated switch(es) are configured to be activated basedat least in part on the touch input causing the touchpad to depress themechanically-activated switch(es). The scissor mechanism is coupled to astructure of the computing device and to the touchpad. The scissormechanism comprises first and second linkages configured to be foldableat a pivoting point. The locking assembly is configured to selectivelyinhibit the touchpad from depressing the one or moremechanically-activated switches by inhibiting the scissor mechanism fromfolding depending on whether the locking assembly is actuated. Thecontroller is configured to selectively actuate the locking assembly toinhibit the touchpad from depressing the one or moremechanically-activated switches based at least in part on the one ormore inputs from the user.

In an example method for limiting inadvertent actuations of a touchpad,one or more inputs from a user are received at one or more userinterfaces of a computing device. The touchpad is selectively inhibitedfrom depressing one or more mechanically-activated switches that aredisposed adjacent to a first end of the touchpad by inhibiting thetouchpad from pivoting about a pivot point of a hinge that is coupled toa second end of the touchpad that is opposite the first end of thetouchpad based at least in part on the one or more inputs from the user.

In another example method for limiting inadvertent actuations of atouchpad, one or more inputs from a user are received at one or moreuser interfaces of a computing device. A locking assembly is used toselectively inhibit the touchpad from depressing one or moremechanically-activated switches based at least in part on the one ormore inputs from the one or more interfaces. For example, the touchpadmay be selectively inhibited from depressing one or moremechanically-activated switches that are disposed adjacent to a firstend of the touchpad by inhibiting the touchpad from pivoting about apivot point of a hinge that is coupled to a second end of the touchpadthat is opposite the first end of the touchpad based at least in part onthe one or more inputs. In another example, the touchpad may beselectively inhibited from depressing one or more mechanically-activatedswitches that are disposed adjacent to the touchpad by inhibiting ascissor mechanism that is supporting the touch pad from folding about apivot point based at least in part on the one or more inputs from theuser. In accordance with this example, the scissor mechanism is coupledto a structure of the computing device and to the touchpad. In furtheraccordance with this example, the scissor mechanism comprises first andsecond linkages configured to be foldable at the pivoting point.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, itis noted that the invention is not limited to the specific embodimentsdescribed in the

Detailed Description and/or other sections of this document. Suchembodiments are presented herein for illustrative purposes only.Additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in therelevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form partof the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present inventionand, together with the description, further serve to explain theprinciples involved and to enable a person skilled in the relevantart(s) to make and use the disclosed technologies.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example computing device in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an example implementation of a selectiveinhibiting touchpad assembly shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are side views of another example implementation ofa selective inhibiting touchpad assembly shown in FIG. 1 in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are front views of another example implementation of aselective inhibiting touchpad assembly shown in FIG. 1 in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4C and 4D are front views of another example implementation of aselective inhibiting touchpad assembly shown in FIG. 1 in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a side view of another example implementation of a selectiveinhibiting touchpad assembly shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are side views of an example implementation of aselective inhibiting touchpad assembly shown in FIG. 5 including alocking assembly to lock a touchpad in accordance with some embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are side views of another example implementation of aselective inhibiting touchpad assembly shown in FIG. 5 including alocking assembly to lock a scissor mechanism in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are cutout views of another example implementation of aselective inhibiting touchpad assembly shown in FIG. 1 in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8C is a top view of a piezoelectric structure and a switch shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 depict flowcharts of example methods for limitinginadvertent actuations of a touchpad in accordance with some embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 depicts an example computer in which embodiments may beimplemented.

The features and advantages of the disclosed technologies will becomemore apparent from the detailed description set forth below when takenin conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference charactersidentify corresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, likereference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar,and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an elementfirst appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the correspondingreference number.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Introduction

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawingsthat illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention. However,the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments,but is instead defined by the appended claims. Thus, embodiments beyondthose shown in the accompanying drawings, such as modified versions ofthe illustrated embodiments, may nevertheless be encompassed by thepresent invention.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,”“an example embodiment,” or the like, indicate that the embodimentdescribed may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrasesare not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, whena particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within theknowledge of one skilled in the relevant art(s) to implement suchfeature, structure, or characteristic in connection with otherembodiments whether or not explicitly described.

Descriptors such as “first”, “second”, “third”, etc. are used toreference some elements discussed herein. Such descriptors are used tofacilitate the discussion of the example embodiments and do not indicatea required order of the referenced elements, unless an affirmativestatement is made herein that such an order is required.

II. Example Embodiments

Example systems described herein are configured to limit inadvertentactuations of a touchpad (e.g., while a user is typing, while the useris interacting with a screen of a computing device (e.g., a laptop) thatincludes the touchpad, and/or while the user is attempting to provide acursor-moving input on the touchpad). An actuation of a touchpad refersto a depression of a mechanically-activated switch (e.g., a dome switch)by the touchpad with a force that is greater than or equal to a forcerequired to activate the mechanically-activated switch. An inadvertentactuation of a touchpad occurs when a user causes an actuation of thetouchpad but does not intend to cause the actuation of the touchpad. Forinstance, the user may cause the inadvertent actuation while providing atouch input. The touch input may involve a scrolling input (e.g., usinga scooping motion), an input using three or more fingers, resting a palmon the touchpad, writing on the touchpad with a stylus, or othersuitable touch input (e.g., gesture input).

A touch input is an input in which object(s) (e.g., one or more fingersor a stylus) physically contact a touchscreen or a touchpad. Examples ofa touch input include but are not limited to a light touch input, aclicking input, a mousing input, a scrolling input, a long-durationpressure input, and a hovering input. A light touch input is an input inwhich object(s) exert a force on the touchpad that is insufficient toactuate the touchpad. A clicking input is an input in which object(s)exert a force on the touchscreen or touchpad that is sufficient toactuate the touchpad, regardless whether the touchpad is prevented fromactuating. A mousing input (a.k.a. a pointing input) is an inputcharacterized by a motion that is intended to move a cursor or aninterface item on a screen of a computing device using a pointing device(e.g., a touchpad, a touchscreen, a mouse, etc.). Examples of aninterface item include but are not limited to a window, an icon, avirtual button, and a widget. A scrolling input is an input that causescontent on a screen to move from a first location on the screen to asecond location on the screen. A long-duration pressure input is aninput in which object(s) exert a force on the touchscreen or thetouchpad for a sustained period of time. The sustained period of time isnon-instantaneous. For example, the sustained period of time may begreater than or equal to a time threshold. In accordance with thisexample, the time threshold may be 0.5 seconds, 1.0 seconds, or 1.5seconds. A hovering input is an input in which object(s) hover over thetouchscreen or the touchpad.

In an example implementation, a system may limit inadvertent actuationsof a touchpad by inhibiting the touchpad from depressingmechanically-activated switch(es) located beneath the touchpad viaactuation of one or more locking assemblies. For example, inhibiting thetouchpad from depressing the mechanically-activated switch(es) mayinclude preventing the touchpad from depressing the touchpad fromdepressing the mechanically-activated switch(es). In another example,inhibiting the touchpad from depressing the mechanically-activatedswitch(es) may include increasing a force threshold associated with thetouchpad to an increased force threshold. For instance, the forcethreshold may indicate an amount of force associated with an inputreceived at the touchpad that is required to cause the touchpad todepress the mechanically-activated switch(es). In accordance with thisexample, inhibiting the touchpad from depressing themechanically-activated switch(es) may further include allowing thetouchpad to depress the mechanically-activated switch(es) if a force ofan input that is received at the touchpad exceeds the increased forcethreshold. In accordance with this implementation, the one or morelocking assemblies can be actuated to engage a bottom surface of thetouchpad, side edge(s) of the touchpad, and/or structure(s) that are incontact with the touchpad to inhibit the touchpad from moving toward themechanically-activated switch(es) when a downward force (equal to orexceeding a threshold force) is applied to a top surface of thetouchpad. The one or more locking assemblies can physically engage ormove relatively close to the bottom surface of the touchpad to block apath of travel of the touchpad or resist movement of the touchpad alongthe path.

The example systems described herein have a variety of benefits ascompared to conventional systems for disabling functionality of atouchpad. For instance, the example systems may be capable of disablingthe functionality of the touchpad using hardware (e.g., in combinationwith software and/or firmware). The example systems may be capable ofinhibiting actuation of the touchpad, which typically is not possiblewith conventional systems. Actuation of the touchpad may be inhibited inresponse to (e.g., based at least in part on) detection of a palmresting on the touchpad, a scrolling input accompanied with a clickinginput, a clicking input using three or more fingers, etc. If driversettings and/or sensitivity settings of the touchpad are being used toactively block touchpad pointer and tap interactions because a user isactively typing, the system may inhibit actuation of the touchpad forthe same duration that the driver and/or sensitivity settings are beingused to actively block the touchpad pointer and tap interactions. Theexample systems may be capable of inhibiting the touchpad from actuatingby using one or more locking assemblies to inhibit the touchpad fromdepressing mechanically-activated switch(es) located beneath thetouchpad. For instance, use of one or more locking assemblies may causethe touchpad to remain rigid as an object presses against the touchpad.

The one or more locking assemblies can entirely or partially prevent themechanically-activated switch(es) from being depressed. The depressionof the mechanically-activated switch(es) causes a mechanical clickingeffect to occur, which the user can sense as tactile and/or audiblefeedback. By preventing such feedback when the user does not intend fora click to occur, the user experience can be improved. In contrast,conventional systems do not prevent the touchpad from actuating.However, because the user does not intend nor expect a clicking event tooccur, any resulting haptic feedback will lead to user confusion or atleast a compromised user experience even if the clicking effect does notlead to any functional response.

The example systems can prevent the touchpad from depressing themechanically-activated switch(es) using one or more locking assembliesdisposed adjacent to the perimeter of the touchpad. The one or morelocking assemblies can be disposed entirely within, partially within, orentirely outside a volume that is defined by a surface area of thetouchpad extended along an axis that is perpendicular to the surfacearea. Each of the locking assemblies can be selectively actuated tointerfere with the downward motion of the touchpad, which results fromuser input, based at least in part on one or more inhibiting criteriabeing met.

The one or more locking assemblies can be actuated using a controllerthat sends a control signal to the one or more locking assemblies basedat least in part on the user activities, which comprise one or moreinputs from a plurality of input devices. The one or more inputs can beone or more of a keyboard input, a mouse input, a camera input, atouchscreen input, a touchpad input, a processor input, an operatingsystem input, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, thecontroller can cause the one or more locking assemblies to inhibit theactuation of a touchpad based at least at least in part on (a) the oneor more inputs are not from the touchpad; (b) the detection of ascrolling input, at the touchpad, and (e.g., followed by) a touch inputhaving a force greater than or equal to a force threshold, (c) detectionof a mousing or scrolling input, at the touchpad, and a long-durationpressure input having a force greater than or equal to the forcethreshold, (d) detection of a long-duration pressure input over an areaof a touch surface of the touchpad that is greater than or equal to anarea threshold, or (e) detection of three or more simultaneous pressurepoints on the touch surface of the touchpad.

With reference to the second example criterion mentioned above, the oneor more locking assemblies can selectively inhibit the touchpad fromdepressing the mechanically-activated switch(es) when a scrolling inputis detected along with a clicking input. This is because a scrollinginput usually is not followed by a clicking input. A likely scenario isthat the user inadvertently performed a scooping motion while providingthe scrolling input. With reference to the fourth example criterionmentioned above, a long-duration pressure input over a relatively largesurface area is likely to be caused by a palm or the heel of a handresting on the touchpad. Accordingly, when the fourth example criterionis met, a controller may actuate the one or more locking assemblies toinhibit the touchpad from activating the mechanically-activatedswitch(es). With reference to the fifth example criterion mentionedabove, the one or more locking assemblies may inhibit the touchpad fromdepressing the mechanically-activated switch(es) when three or morefingers are detected on the touchpad as it is not common for a user toexecute a clicking input with three or more fingers on the touchpad. Itshould be recognized that other inhibiting criteria are possible andthat inhibiting criteria described above are not exhaustive.

A pressure point refers to a discrete touch input. The force thresholdcan be 165 grams force (gf)±25 gf, though the scope of the exampleembodiments is not limited in this respect. For example, the forcethreshold can be approximately 100 gf, approximately 120 gf,approximately 140 gf, approximately 160 gf, or approximately 165 gf. Inaccordance with this example, the force threshold may be within ±10 gfor ±20 gf of the approximated force threshold values mentioned above.The surface area threshold can be an area equivalent to an area of twoor more fingers placed on the touchpad. In one example embodiment, thesurface area threshold is equivalent to an average surface area of threeadult fingers placed on the touchpad.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example computing device 100 inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Computingdevice is a processing system. An example of a processing system is asystem that includes at least one processor that is capable ofmanipulating data in accordance with a set of instructions. Forinstance, a processing system may be a laptop computer or other type ofcomputer. As shown in FIG. 1, computing device 100 includes a screen110, a keyboard 120, a selective inhibiting touchpad assembly 130, andprocessor(s) 140. Screen 110 is configured to display images in responseto image data received from processor(s) 140.

Keyboard 120 includes a plurality of keys that are capable of beingpressed by a user of computing device 100 to provide input informationfor processing by processor(s) 140.

Selective inhibiting touchpad assembly 130 is configured to limitinadvertent actuations of a touchpad 142. Selective inhibiting touchpadassembly 130 includes a sensor 132, a controller 134, a locking assembly136, mechanically-activated switch(es) 138, and touchpad 142. Sensor 132is configured to detect object(s) that are in physical contact withtouchpad 142. Sensor 132 may detect attributes of the object(s).Examples of an attribute of the object(s) include but are not limited toa direction in which the object(s) are traveling along a surface oftouchpad 142, a force with which the object(s) press on touchpad 142,and a number of the object(s) that are in physical contact with touchpad142. Sensor 132 may detect an input mode associated with a user input.The input mode corresponds to a type of user input that is received attouchpad 142. For instance, the input mode may be a light touch inputmode, a mousing input mode, a scrolling input mode, a clicking inputmode, a multi-point (e.g., multi-finger) input mode, a long-durationpressure input mode, or any combination thereof. Sensor 132 may generateinformation 144 to indicate that the object(s) are in physical contactwith touchpad 142, to indicate one or more of the attribute(s) of theobject(s), and/or to indicate the input mode associated with the userinput.

Sensor 132 can include any suitable type of sensor, including but notlimited to a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, and/or a forcesensor. A capacitive sensor can be configured to detect the presence ofobject(s) (finger(s), a palm, or a stylus) by detecting changes in theelectric field of touchpad 142. A resistive sensor can be configured todetect the presence of object(s) by detecting changes in one or morevoltage gradients of touchpad 142. A force sensor can be a piezoelectricsensor configured to measure changes in force and/or pressure beingapplied to a touch surface (i.e., the topmost surface) of touchpad 142.

Controller 134 is configured to control locking assembly 136. Forinstance, controller 134 may generate a control signal 146 to controllocking assembly 136. Controller 134 may generate control signal 146based at least in part on satisfaction of one or more inhibitingcriteria. For instance, controller 134 may generate control signal 146based at least in part on information 144 received from sensor 132.Examples of inhibiting criteria include but are not limited to three ormore fingers being used to interact with touchpad 142, a palm resting ontouchpad 142, a scrolling input accompanied by an excessive downwardforce and/or a scooping motion. Controller 134 providing control signal146 to locking assembly 136 may cause locking assembly 136 to beactuated. Control signal 134 not providing control signal 146 to lockingassembly 136 may cause locking assembly 136 to not be actuated.Controller 134 can include hardware, software, firmware, or anycombination thereof. Controller can be implemented using one or more ofprocessor(s) 140.

Locking assembly 136 is configured to selectively inhibit touchpad 142from depressing mechanically-activated switch(es) 138 based at least inpart on control signal 146. For example, locking assembly 136 may beconfigured to actuate, causing locking assembly 136 to inhibit touchpad142 from depressing mechanically-activated switch(es) 138, when controlsignal 134 is received. In accordance with this example, inhibitingtouchpad 142 from depressing mechanically-activated switch(es) 138 mayinhibit a physical click that results from depression ofmechanically-activated switch(es) 138 (e.g., in scenarios in which theuser does not intend and/or expect to generate a clicking input). Inanother example, locking assembly 136 may be configured to not actuate,causing locking assembly 136 to not inhibit touchpad 142 from depressingmechanically-activated switch(es) 138, when control signal 134 is notreceived. Locking assembly 136 may include a latch, a flange, apiezoelectric element or surface, or a combination thereof, though thescope of the example embodiments is not limited in this respect.

Mechanically-activated switch(es) 138 are configured to be activatedbased at least in part on the user input causing touchpad 142 to depressmechanically-activated switch(es) 138 with a force that is greater thanor equal to a force threshold.

Touchpad 142 is configured to receive a touch input (e.g., a light touchinput, a clicking input, a mousing input, a scrolling input, and/or along-duration pressure input) from a user. For instance, touch pad 142may be a pointing device that is configured to translate position andmotion of object(s) (e.g., a user's finger(s) or a stylus) along asurface of touchpad 142 into position and motion of a cursor on screen110. Accordingly, to move a cursor displayed on screen 110, the user caninteract with touchpad 142 to provide a mousing input, for example. Toselect or click on an object displayed on screen 110, the user can pressdown on the touch surface of touchpad 142 with a force that exceeds aforce threshold (e.g., 170 gf) to generate a clicking input.

Processor(s) 140 are configured to execute computer-readableinstructions to perform operations. For example, the processor(s) 140may execute such computer-readable instructions to control lockingassembly 136. In accordance with this example, processor(s) 140 mayinclude controller 134 or a portion thereof. Processor(s) 140 may beconfigured to generate image data based on (e.g., based at least in parton) user input that is received via keyboard 110 and/or touchpad 142.Processor(s) 140 may provide the image data to screen 110 for generatingimages based on the image data.

It will be recognized that computing device 100 may not include one ormore of screen 110, keyboard 120, selective inhibiting touchpad assembly130, sensor 132, controller 134, locking assembly 136,mechanically-activated switch(es) 138, processor(s) 140, and/or touchpad142. Furthermore, computing device 100 may include components inaddition to or in lieu of screen 110, keyboard 120, selective inhibitingtouchpad assembly 130, sensor 132, controller 134, locking assembly 136,mechanically-activated switch(es) 138, processor(s) 140, and/or touchpad142.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an example selective inhibiting touchpadassembly 200, which is an example implementation of a selectiveinhibiting touchpad assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1, in accordance withsome embodiments of the present disclosure. Selective inhibitingtouchpad assembly 200 includes touchpad 142, a plurality ofmechanically-activated switches 210 a-210 d, and a structure 155.Mechanically-activated switches 210 a-210 d may be disposed near one ofthe sides of touchpad 142, though the scope of the example embodimentsis not limited in this respect. It will be recognized thatmechanically-activated switches 210 a-210 d may be disposed at anysuitable locations at which depression of touchpad 142 is capable ofactivating mechanically-activated switches 210 a-210 d. In oneembodiment, each mechanically-activated switch 210 is a dome switch thatproduces a haptic feedback in the form of a mechanical click. Forinstance, the mechanical click may be associated with a designatedfunction (e.g., a left-button mouse click or a right-button mouseclick). Selective inhibiting touchpad assembly 200 is shown in FIG. 2 toinclude four mechanically-activated switches 210 a-210 d fornon-limiting, illustrative purposes. It will be recognized thatselective inhibiting touchpad assembly 200 may include any suitablenumber (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) of mechanically-activated switches 210.

Touchpad 142 has a touch surface 215 that is configured to receive atouch input from a user. Touchpad 142 may include sensor(s) configuredto sense the touch input from the user, though such sensor(s) may beexternal to touchpad 142. For instance, the sensor(s) may performcapacitive sensing, resistive sensing, and/or force sensing, each ofwhich is well known to one skilled in the art. In one exampleembodiment, touchpad 142 is hingedly coupled to structure 255. Forinstance, one end of touchpad 142 may be hingedly coupled to structure255. In another example embodiment, touchpad 142 is floated overswitches 210 a-210 d using linkages. For instance, touchpad 142 may befloated over switches 210 a-210 d by a scissor mechanism that includessuch linkages. Some example embodiments in which touchpad 142 ishingedly coupled to a structure are discussed in further detail belowwith reference to FIGS. 3A-3C. Some example embodiments in whichtouchpad 142 is floated over switches using linkages are discussed infurther detail below with reference to FIGS. 5, 6A-6B, and 7A-7B.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are side views of an example selective inhibitingselective inhibiting touchpad assembly 300, which is another exampleimplementation of a selective inhibiting touchpad assembly 100 shown inFIG. 1, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.As shown in FIG. 3A, selective inhibiting touchpad assembly 300 includesone or more switches 310, a touchpad 342, a hinge 335, and a lockingassembly 350. Touchpad 342 has a first end 305 a and a second end 305 b.Hinge 335 hingedly couples first end 305 of touchpad 342 to a structure355. For instance, structure 355 may provide structural support forhinge 335. In an example embodiment, touchpad 342 is hingedly coupled tostructure 355 using a flexible substrate that can span an entire lengthof touchpad 342. In another example embodiment, second end 305 b oftouchpad 342 is floated over switch(es) 310. In an aspect of thisembodiment, second end 305 b can be in physical contact with a top(e.g., dome or top-most) portion 330 of switch(es) 310, as shown in FIG.3A. In another aspect of this embodiment, a bottom surface 325 oftouchpad 342 and top portion 330 of switch 310 can be separated by aspaced distance (i.e., a gap).

Each of switch(es) 310 can be configured to activate when the respectiveswitch experiences a depression force exceeding a force threshold. Inone embodiment, the force threshold is in a range between 140 gf and 190gf. In operation, a user can interact with touch surface 315 of touchpad342 to provide a touch input. If the touch input includes a clickinginput having a downward force that exceeds the force threshold,switch(es) 310 can be activated such that top portion 330 of switch(es)310 collapses to generate a clicking effect (e.g., an audible and/ortactile snap). For instance, the clicking effect may be associated witha computer function (e.g., a left-button mouse click). An exampleillustration of top portion 330 of switch(es) 310 being collapsed isshown in FIG. 3C. It will be recognized that touchpad 342 may be“pre-loaded,” such that touchpad 342 partially collapses switch(es) 310in a steady state. For example, switch(es) 310 may be collapsedapproximately 30% in the steady state. In accordance with this example,activation of switch(es) 310 can cause switch(es) 310 to collapse morethan 30%.

Locking assembly 350 is configured to inhibit touchpad 342 fromdepressing switch(es) 310. By inhibiting touchpad 342 from depressingswitch(es) 310, locking assembly 350 may inhibit an inadvertentactivation of switch 310 and a corresponding haptic feedback. Lockingassembly 350 is shown in FIG. 3A in a non-actuated state. In thenon-actuated state, locking assembly 350 does not inhibit touchpad 342from depressing switch(es) 310. Locking assembly 350 is described asincluding a single locking assembly for non-limiting, illustrativepurposes. It will be recognized that locking assembly 350 may includeany suitable number (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) of locking assemblies. Forinstance, any one or more of the locking assemblies may be disposed atsecond end 305 b of touchpad 342 (e.g., along an edge of touchpad 342 atsecond end 305 b). As shown in FIG. 3A, locking assembly 350 can becoupled a structure 355 near second end 305 b of touchpad 342. Forinstance, structure 355 may provide structural support for lockingassembly 350.

FIG. 3B illustrates locking assembly 350 in an actuated state. In theactuated state, locking assembly 350 inhibits touchpad 342 fromdepressing switch(es) 310. For example, once an inhibiting event isdetected (i.e., one or more inhibiting criteria are satisfied), acontroller (e.g., controller 134) may cause locking assembly 350 toactuate an inhibiting element 360. In accordance with this example,inhibiting element 360 may be configured to extend into an interior ofselective inhibiting touchpad assembly 300 to inhibit the downwardmotion of touchpad 342 in response to receipt of a control signal fromthe controller. For instance, inhibiting element 360 may be configuredto extend from an interior surface of structure 355 into a cavitydefined beneath touchpad 342. Examples of an inhibiting element 360include but are not limited to a rotatable flange, a switching flange,and a piezoelectric element.

Locking assembly 350 can be configured to automatically revert back tothe non-actuated state shown in FIG. 3A after a predetermined amount oftime when a force exceeding the force threshold is received. Lockingassembly 350 can be actuated by rotating inhibiting element 360,extending element 360 from within the body of locking assembly 350, orelectrically stimulating a piezoelectric element to cause thepiezoelectric element to extend toward the interior of selectiveinhibiting touchpad assembly 300. Locking assembly 350 can also beactuated using a shape-memory alloy (a.k.a. muscle wire) to selectivelyinhibit the downward motion of touchpad 342. A shape-memory alloy is analloy that is capable of changing from a first shape to a second shapein response to a stimulus and then changing from the second shape to thefirst shape in response to removal of the stimulus. For example, whenelectrically stimulated or heated, the shape-memory alloy can extendtoward the interior of selective inhibiting touchpad assembly 300 toinhibit the downward motion of touchpad 342. When not stimulated orheated, the shape-memory alloy can revert back to its original shape andretract from the interior of selective inhibiting touchpad assembly 300such that it will not inhibit the downward motion of touchpad 342.

Locking assembly 350 can also be actuated using electromagneticelement(s) to selectively inhibit the downward motion of touchpad 342.For example, when the electromagnetic element(s) are stimulated with anelectromagnetic field, the electromagnetic element(s) can be pushed orpulled by magnetic forces (depending on the polarity of theelectromagnetic field). In one example embodiment, stimulation of theelectromagnetic element(s) with the electromagnetic field causes theelectromagnetic element(s) to be pushed or pulled from a non-inhibitingposition to an inhibiting position to selectively inhibit the downwardmotion of touchpad 342 (e.g., by blocking a downward path of touchpad342). In another example embodiment, stimulation of the electromagneticelement(s) with the electromagnetic field causes the electromagneticelement(s) to press against inhibiting element(s) (e.g., inhibitingelement 360), which causes the inhibiting element(s) to extend towardthe interior of selective inhibiting touchpad assembly 300. Accordingly,locking assembly 350 may include the electromagnetic element(s) inaddition to inhibiting element(s), in lieu of inhibiting element(s), orin inhibiting element(s).

As shown in FIG. 3C, the locking assembly 350 being in the non-actuatedstate enables touchpad 342 to depress at least a top portion 330 ofswitch(es) 310 in response to a clicking input received at touch surface315. For instance, touchpad 342 may depress top portion 330 ofswitch(es) 310 by rotating about hinge 335.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are front views of an example selective inhibitingtouchpad assembly 400, which is another example implementation of aselective inhibiting touchpad assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 4A and4B will be discussed concurrently below. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B,selective inhibiting touchpad assembly 400 includes a plurality ofswitches 410, a touchpad 442, and a plurality of locking assemblies 450a-450 c. FIG. 4A shows locking assemblies 450 a-450 c in a non-actuatedstate. FIG. 4B shows locking assemblies 450 a-450 c in an actuatedstate. Locking assemblies 450 a-450 c are configured to actuate towardthe interior of selective inhibiting touchpad assembly 400. Forinstance, when actuated by a controller, locking assemblies 450 a and450 c may extend respective inhibiting elements 460 a and 460 c towardthe interior of selective inhibiting touchpad assembly 400. Lockingassembly 450 b can be disposed at a location similar to locking assembly350 shown in FIG. 3C. When locking assembly 450 b is actuated, lockingassembly 350 b may extend an inhibiting element (blocked from view) in adirection 405, which is pointing into the page. In this way, touchpad442 is inhibited at three different locations and may be unable to movetoward the mechanically-activated switches 410. Locking assemblies 450a-450 c can be positioned at various locations along the perimeter oftouchpad 442, though the scope of the example embodiments is not limitedin this respect.

Selective inhibiting touchpad assembly 400 is described as havingmultiple locking assemblies for non-limiting, illustrative purposes. Itwill be recognized that selective inhibiting touchpad assembly 400 mayinclude a single locking assembly.

FIGS. 4C and 4D are front views of an example selective inhibitingtouchpad assembly 490, which is another example implementation of aselective inhibiting touchpad assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 4C and4D will be discussed concurrently below. As shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D,selective inhibiting touchpad assembly 490 includes a plurality ofswitches 410, a touchpad 442, and a plurality of locking assemblies 450b and 452 a-452 b. FIG. 4C shows locking assemblies 450 b and 452 a-452b in a non-actuated state. FIG. 4D shows locking assemblies 450 b and452 a-452 b in an actuated state. As shown in FIG. 4D, lockingassemblies 452 a-452 b are disposed within an interior portion 445 ofselective inhibiting touchpad assembly 490. Once a controller detectssatisfaction of one or more inhibiting criteria, the controller canactuate locking assemblies 452 a-452 b to upwardly (i.e., toward bottomsurface 425 of touchpad 442) extend respective inhibiting elements 454a-454 b.

Any one or more of locking elements 450 b and 454 a-454 b can directlyengage bottom surface 425 of touchpad 442 or can come substantiallyclose to bottom surface 425. In this way, inhibiting elements 450 b and454 a-454 b can inhibit touchpad 442 from moving toward switches 410.For example, when a scrolling input and a clicking input having a forceabove the force threshold are detected at touchpad 442, the controllercan send a control signal to actuate locking assemblies 450 b and 454a-454 b. In another example, when three or more simultaneous pressurepoints (e.g., an input using 3 fingers) are detected at touch surface415, the controller can send a control signal to actuate lockingassemblies 450 b and 454 a-454 b.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an example selective inhibiting touchpadassembly 500, which is another example implementation of a selectiveinhibiting touchpad assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1, in accordance withsome embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5,selective inhibiting touchpad assembly 500 includes a touchpad 542 and ascissor mechanism 575. Scissor mechanism 575 is configured to fold andunfold at pivoting point 515 such that touchpad 542 can be translated upand down along an axis 520.

Scissor mechanism 575 includes first and second linkages 565 and 570,which can be pivotably coupled to each other at pivoting point 515.First linkage 565 has first and second end portions 535 a-535 b atopposing ends of first linkage 565. Second linkage 570 has first andsecond end portions 540 a-540 b at opposing ends of second linkage 570.When scissor mechanism 575 is being folded or unfolded, one or more ofend portions 535 a, 535 b, 540 a, and 540 b can slide in a lateraldirection (e.g., in direction 545 a or 545 b). In this way, touchpad 542can move up and down along axis 520. End portions 535 a and 540 b can bemounted to surface 560 of selective inhibiting touchpad assembly 500such that end portions 535 a and 540 b can move only in the lateraldirection along (e.g., with reference to) surface 560. Similarly, endportions 535 b and 540 a can be mounted to bottom surface 525 oftouchpad 542 such that end portions 535 b and 540 a can move only in thelateral direction along bottom surface 525. For instance, end portions535 b and 540 a can laterally move inward or outward in opposing lateraldirections but do not move along axis 520 without touchpad 542 alsomoving along axis 520.

In an example embodiment, scissor mechanism 575 includes a pre-loadedspring 550 configured to push touchpad 542 against ledge 555. In thisway, touchpad 542 can revert to its normal position after touchpad 542is depressed by the user. The spring constant k of spring 550 can beselected such that a downward force in a range between 140 gf and 190 gfis required to activate switch 575.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are side views of an example selective inhibitingtouchpad assembly 600, which is an example implementation of a selectiveinhibiting touchpad assembly 500 shown in FIG. 5, including a lockingassembly to lock a touchpad in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure. FIGS. 6A and 6B will be discussed concurrentlybelow. As shown in FIG. 6A, selective inhibiting touchpad assembly 600includes mechanically-activated switch(es) 510, a touchpad 542, scissormechanism 575, and locking assemblies 650 and 680. As shown in FIG. 6B,locking assembly 650 is configured to actuate inhibiting element 660when a control signal is received to inhibit (e.g., block) the downwardmotion of touchpad 542. Locking assembly 650 is shown to be coupled to astructure 655 near a front edge of a computing device that includesselective inhibiting touchpad assembly 600 for non-limiting,illustrative purposes. Locking assembly 680 is configured to actuate aninhibiting element (hidden from view) to inhibit the downward motion oftouchpad 542. Locking assembly 680 may be disposed on a structure near aside edge of the computing device. Each of locking assemblies 650 and680 can be an actuatable flange, a rotatable member, a piezoelectricelement, a piezoelectric surface, or other suitable type of lockingassembly.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are side views of an example selective inhibitingtouchpad assembly 700, which is another example implementation of aselective inhibiting touchpad assembly 500 shown in FIG. 5, including alocking assembly to lock a scissor mechanism in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 7A and 7B will be discussedconcurrently below. As shown in FIG. 7A, selective inhibiting touchpadassembly 700 includes a touchpad 542, scissor mechanism 575, and lockingassemblies 750 a-750 b. Locking assemblies 750 a-750 b can be disposedon structures of the computing device adjacent to selective inhibitingtouchpad assembly 700. Locking assemblies 750 a-750 b can be configuredto inhibit scissor mechanism 575 from folding by blocking respective endportions 540 b and/or 535 a. As shown in FIG. 7B, locking assembly 750 ais configured to actuate inhibiting element 760 a in response to receiptof a control signal from a controller (e.g., controller 134) to blockend portion 540 b from moving laterally along surface 560. Similarly,locking assembly 750 b is configured to actuate inhibiting element 760 bin response to receipt of a control signal from the controller to blockend portion 535 a from moving laterally along surface 560. In this way,scissor mechanism 575 is locked in place and cannot be folded.Consequently, the downward motion of touchpad 542 is substantiallylimited.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are cutout views of an example selective inhibitingtouchpad assembly 800, which is another example implementation of aselective inhibiting touchpad assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B, selective inhibiting touchpad assembly 800 includes amechanically-activated switch 810, a touchpad 842, and a piezoelectricstructure 885. Piezoelectric structure 885 partially or fully encirclesmechanically-activated switch 810. Piezoelectric structure 885 isconfigured to actuate (e.g., flex or rise) when a current is applied topiezoelectric structure 885. FIG. 8A shows piezoelectric structure 885in a non-actuated state, which allows touchpad 842 to move downward anddepress mechanically-activated switch 810. FIG. 8B shows piezoelectricstructure 885 in an actuated state. In the actuated state, inner portion815 of piezoelectric structure 885 extends toward touchpad 842 to engagebottom surface 825 of touchpad 842. By engaging bottom surface 825,inner portion 815 inhibits the downward travel path of touchpad 842.

FIG. 8C is a top view of piezoelectric structure 885 and switch 210shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure. In the embodiment of FIG. 8C, piezoelectricstructure 885 is shown to completely encircle switch 810 fornon-limiting, illustrative purposes. It will be recognized thatpiezoelectric structure 885 need not necessarily completely encircleswitch 810. For instance, piezoelectric structure 885 can partiallyencircle switch 810.

FIGS. 9 and 10 depict flowcharts 900 and 1000 of example methods forlimiting inadvertent actuations of a touchpad in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure. Flowcharts 900 and 1000 may beperformed by computing device 100 shown in FIG. 1, for example. Furtherstructural and operational embodiments will be apparent to personsskilled in the relevant art(s) based on the discussion regardingflowcharts 900 and 1000.

As shown in FIG. 9, the method flowchart 900 starts at 910 where a touchinput is received from a user at the touchpad. For example, touchpad 142(e.g., a touch surface thereof) may receive the touch input from theuser.

At 920, a sensor (e.g., capacitive sensor, resistive sensor,piezoelectric force sensor, etc.) is used to determine an input mode ofthe touch input and the depression force associated with the touchinput. Examples of an input mode include but are not limited to a lighttouch mode, a clicking input mode, a mousing input mode, a scrollinginput mode, a multi-point (e.g., multi-finger) input mode, along-duration pressure input mode, or any combination thereof. Forexample, an input mode of a touch input can comprise a scrolling inputaccompanied with a scooping motion, which creates a clicking input ifthe scooping motion generates a depression force exceeding a forcethreshold. In another example, an input mode of a touch input cancomprise a three-finger input accompanied with a click. The sensor mayinclude a single sensor or multiple sensors.

At 930, a locking assembly is used to selectively inhibit the touchpadfrom depressing a switch (e.g., a mechanically-activated switch) basedat least in part on the input mode and on the sensed depression force.For instance, the locking assembly may be used to selectively inhibitthe touchpad from depressing the switch based at least in part on theinput mode and further based at least in part on whether the depressionforce exceeds a force threshold. For example, controller 134 can send acontrol signal 146 to locking assembly 136 to cause locking assembly 136to inhibit touchpad 142 from depressing mechanically-activatedswitch(es) 138 (e.g., and consequently inhibiting touchpad 142 fromcausing mechanically-activated switch(es) 138 to produce an audibleand/or haptic click) when one or more inhibiting criteria are met.Examples of an inhibiting criterion include but are not limited to (a)the input mode comprising a scrolling input and the depression forceexceeding the force threshold; (b) the input mode comprising along-duration pressure input over a surface area greater than a surfacearea threshold (e.g., caused by a palm resting on the touchpad); (c) theinput mode comprising three or more distinct pressure locations on atouch surface of the touchpad; and (d) the controller inferring that theuser does not intend to use the touchpad or that the user does notintend to perform a clicking input on the touchpad.

As shown in FIG. 10, the method flowchart 1000 starts at 1010 where aninput from a user is received at a user interface of computing device100. A user interface of computing device 100 can be a keyboard, amouse, a touchpad, or a touchscreen. The input can be a keyboard input,a mouse input (e.g., a mouse movement, a mouse click, a mouse scroll), atouchscreen input, or a touchpad input. The touchscreen input can haveseveral modes of input such as, but not limited to, a light touch inputmode, a screen tap input mode, a screen double-tap input mode, ahovering input mode, and a mousing input mode. Similarly, the touchpadinput can have several modes of input such as, but not limited to, alight touch input mode, a tap input mode, a double-tap input mode, aclicking input mode, a hovering input mode, a scrolling input mode, anda mousing input mode.

At 1020, the intent of the user can be inferred based on the source ofthe input (e.g., keyboard input, touchscreen input) and/or the mode ofinput (e.g., a mousing input, a hovering input). A source of thereceived input can be from a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, or atouchpad. Each source of input can be further classified into one ormore input modes. For example, as previously explained, a touchpad inputcan be further classified into a plurality of input modes such as, butnot limited to, a light touch input mode, a clicking input mode, amousing input mode, a multi-point input mode (e.g., a scrolling inputmode), or a long-duration pressure input mode. At 1020, a controller(e.g., controller 134, processor 140) is configured to infer the intentof the user based on the source of the input and/or the mode of theinput. For example, controller 134 can infer the intent of the user whenthe only source of inputs is from a keyboard. For instance, controller134 can infer that the intent of the user is to actively type in theinputs using the keyboard and that any clicking input using the touchpadduring the active typing activity is not intended when the keyboard isin active use.

In another example, controller 134 can infer that the user wants tointeract with computing device 100 using only the touchscreen and notthe touchpad when inputs are being received from the touchscreen. Forinstance, the user may provide a mousing input via the touchscreen.During the active mousing activities on the touchscreen, the controllercan infer that any clicking input on the touchpad is unwanted or thatthe user wants to interact with computing device 100 using only thetouchscreen.

In yet another example, controller 134 can infer that the user does notintend to perform any clicking input using the touchpad when a mousinginput from the mouse is received. Other examples where controller 134can infer that the user does not intend to perform a clicking inputusing the touchpad include: (a) a scrolling input using a touchpad; (b)a long-duration pressure input over a surface area greater than asurface area threshold (e.g., caused by a palm resting on the touchpad);or (c) pressure inputs from three or more distinct locations on a touchsurface of the touchpad. In each of these examples, controller 134 caninfer that the user does not intend to perform a clicking input usingthe touchpad. It should be recognized that the above described examplesare not exhaustive.

At 1030, a locking assembly is used to selectively inhibit the touchpadfrom depressing a mechanically-activated switch based at least in parton the inferred intent of the user. In one embodiment, the lockingassembly is configured to selectively inhibit the touchpad fromdepressing the mechanically-activated switched when the inferred intentof the user is not to perform a clicking input using the touchpad.Stated differently, the locking assembly is configured to selectivelyinhibit the touchpad from depressing the mechanically-activated switchedwhen the inferred intent of the user is to use the keyboard, the mouse,and/or the touchscreen exclusively as input devices. For example, thelocking assembly can inhibit the touchpad from depressing themechanically-activated switch when the source of the received input isfrom the keyboard, the touchscreen, or the mouse of the computing deviceas this can mean that the user intent is to only use one of thosedevices to provide inputs to the computing device. For instance, whenthe keyboard is used as an input device, it is highly likely that theuser does not intend to perform any clicking input on the touchpad.Thus, controller 134 can lock touchpad 142 to prevent any clicking inputto occur. Similarly, when computing device 100 receives inputs from atouchscreen, locking assembly 136 can be actuated to inhibit touchpad142 from depressing mechanically-activated switch(es) 138 as anyclicking input at the touchpad is most likely unintentional.

Controller 134 can also infer that the user does not intend to perform aclicking input on touchpad 142 by detecting a hovering input over thetouchpad. For example, the user may provide a hovering input by moving afinger just above touchpad 142. Based on this hovering input, controller134 can actuate locking assembly 136 to inhibit touchpad 142 fromactuating. In one embodiment, controller 134 can additionally determinethe pattern traced out by the hovering input or the direction in whichthe hovering input originated to determine the user intent. For example,if the direction in which the hovering input originated started from theupper edge, left edge, or right edge of touchpad 142, then controller142 can infer that the user does not intend to perform a clicking input.In this example, controller 134 can actuate locking assembly 136 toinhibit touchpad 142 from depressing mechanically-activated switch(es)138. If the direction in which the hovering input originated from thebottom edge of touchpad 142, then controller 142 can infer that the usermay subsequently intend to perform a clicking input using touchpad 142.In this case, locking assembly 136 will not be actuated.

Controller 134 can also infer that the user does not intend to perform aclicking input on touchpad 142 by determining the orientation of theuser finger(s) and/or hand. This can be done by analyzing a surface areaof a capacitive sensor of touchpad 142 that experiences a capacitivechange that exceeds a designated threshold, which is caused by the userfinger(s) and/or hand hovering over touchpad 142. For instance, if theaffected surface area has a shape that approximates a finger or a thumblying sideways or in a crescent shape, then controller 134 can inferthat the user does not intend to perform a clicking function.Accordingly, controller 134 can actuate locking assembly 136 to inhibittouchpad 142 from actuating.

Controller 134 can also infer that the user does not intend to perform aclicking input on touchpad 142 by analyzing the touch or landing patterngenerated by a touch input at touchpad 142. For example, if landingpattern has an area equal to or greater than the average size of threefingertips, controller 134 can infer that the user does not intend toperform a clicking function using touchpad 142. In another example, ifthe landing pattern has a shape that is not substantially a circle or anoval (which is typically the pattern generated by a fingertip),controller 134 can infer that the user does not intend to perform aclicking function using touchpad 142. In other words, if the landingpattern has an irregular shape such as a crescent (which is typicallygenerated by a portion of the palm), a L-shaped pattern, or a rectangle,then controller 134 can infer that the user does not intend to perform aclicking function using touchpad 142.

FIG. 11 depict flowchart 1100 of an example method for limitinginadvertent actuations of a touchpad in accordance with some embodimentsof the present disclosure. Flowchart 1100 may be performed by computingdevice 100 shown in FIG. 1, for example. Further structural andoperational embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in therelevant art(s) based on the discussion regarding flowcharts 1100.

The method flowchart 1100 starts at 1110 where one or more inputs arereceived at one or more user interfaces of a computing device from auser. In an example implementation, user interface(s) of computingdevice 100 receive the one or more inputs. The one or more inputs can bereceived in response to user activities at computing device 100.Examples of a user input include but are not limited to a touchscreeninput, a keyboard input, a mouse input, a touchpad input, a camerainput, a processor input, and an operating system input.

At 1120, the touchpad is selectively inhibited from depressing one ormore mechanically-activated switches, using a locking assembly, based atleast in part on the one or more inputs from the user. In an exampleimplementation, locking assembly 136 is used to selectively inhibittouchpad 142 from depressing mechanically-activated switch(es) 138 basedat least in part on the one or more inputs from the user. For instance,controller 130 may use (e.g., control) locking assembly 136 toselectively inhibit touchpad 142 from depressing mechanically-activatedswitch(es) 138.

In an example implementation, selectively inhibiting the touchpad fromdepressing the one or more mechanically-activated switches at step 1120includes selectively increasing a force threshold associated with thetouchpad to an increased force threshold to inhibit the touchpad fromdepressing the one or more mechanically-activated switches. Inaccordance with this implementation, the force threshold indicates anamount of force associated with an input received at the touchpad thatis required to cause the touchpad to depress the one or moremechanically-activated switches. In further accordance with thisimplementation, selectively inhibiting the touchpad from depressing theone or more mechanically-activated switches at step 1120 furtherincludes allowing the touchpad to depress the one or moremechanically-activated switches based at least in part on a force of aninput that is received at the touchpad exceeding the increased forcethreshold.

For instance, the locking assembly may include a shape-memory alloy or apiezoelectric element that is configured to extend (e.g., expand) inresponse to a stimulus. Selectively increasing the force threshold tothe increased force threshold may include selectively stimulating theshape-memory alloy or the piezoelectric element, which may cause theshape-memory alloy or the piezoelectric element to extend against anedge of the touchpad and/or into a travel-path of the touchpad. Althoughextension of the shape-memory alloy or the piezoelectric element inresponse to the stimulus may result in the force threshold associatedwith the touchpad being increased to the increased force threshold, theshape-memory alloy or the piezoelectric element may allow the touchpadto depress the one or more mechanically-activated switches so long asthe force of the input that is received at the touchpad is greater thanthe increased force threshold.

In another example implementation, selectively inhibiting the touchpadfrom depressing the one or more mechanically-activated switches at step1120 includes selectively inhibiting the touchpad from depressing one ormore mechanically-activated switches that are disposed adjacent to afirst end of the touchpad by inhibiting the touchpad from pivoting abouta pivot point of a hinge that is coupled to a second end of the touchpadthat is opposite the first end of the touchpad based at least in part onthe one or more inputs from the user.

In yet another example implementation, selectively inhibiting thetouchpad from depressing the one or more mechanically-activated switchesat step 1120 includes selectively inhibiting the touchpad fromdepressing one or more mechanically-activated switches that are disposedadjacent to the touchpad by inhibiting a scissor mechanism that issupporting the touch pad from folding about a pivot point based at leastin part on the one or more inputs from the user. In accordance with thisimplementation, the scissor mechanism is coupled to a structure of thecomputing device and to the touchpad. In further accordance with thisimplementation, the scissor mechanism comprises first and secondlinkages configured to be foldable at the pivoting point.

III. Example Computer System

FIG. 12 depicts an example computer 1200 in which embodiments may beimplemented. For instance, computing device 120 shown in FIG. 1 may beimplemented using computer 1200, including one or more features ofcomputer 1200 and/or alternative features. Computer 1200 may be ageneral-purpose computing device in the form of a conventional personalcomputer, a mobile computer, or a workstation, for example, or computer1200 may be a special purpose computing device. The description ofcomputer 1200 provided herein is provided for purposes of illustration,and is not intended to be limiting. Embodiments may be implemented infurther types of computer systems, as would be known to persons skilledin the relevant art(s).

As shown in FIG. 12, computer 1200 includes a processing unit 1202, asystem memory 1204, and a bus 1206 that couples various systemcomponents including system memory 1204 to processing unit 1202. Bus1206 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures,including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, anaccelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of avariety of bus architectures. System memory 1204 includes read onlymemory (ROM) 1208 and random access memory (RAM) 1210. A basicinput/output system 1212 (BIOS) is stored in ROM 1208.

Computer 1200 also has one or more of the following drives: a hard diskdrive 1214 for reading from and writing to a hard disk, a magnetic diskdrive 1216 for reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk1218, and an optical disk drive 1220 for reading from or writing to aremovable optical disk 1222 such as a CD ROM, DVD ROM, or other opticalmedia. Hard disk drive 1214, magnetic disk drive 1216, and optical diskdrive 1220 are connected to bus 1206 by a hard disk drive interface1224, a magnetic disk drive interface 1226, and an optical driveinterface 1228, respectively. The drives and their associatedcomputer-readable storage media provide nonvolatile storage ofcomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules andother data for the computer. Although a hard disk, a removable magneticdisk and a removable optical disk are described, other types ofcomputer-readable storage media can be used to store data, such as flashmemory cards, digital video disks, random access memories (RAMs), readonly memories (ROM), and the like.

A number of program modules may be stored on the hard disk, magneticdisk, optical disk, ROM, or RAM. These programs include an operatingsystem 1230, one or more application programs 1232, other programmodules 1234, and program data 1236. Application programs 1232 orprogram modules 1234 may include, for example, computer program logicfor implementing controller 134 and/or flowcharts 900, 1000, 1100(including any step of flowcharts 900, 1000, 1100), as described herein.

A user may enter commands and information into the computer 1200 throughinput devices such as keyboard 1238 and pointing device 1240 (e.g., atouchpad). Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone,joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, touch screen, camera,accelerometer, gyroscope, or the like. These and other input devices areoften connected to the processing unit 1202 through a serial portinterface 1242 that is coupled to bus 1206, but may be connected byother interfaces, such as a parallel port, game port, or a universalserial bus (USB).

A display device 1244 (e.g., a monitor) is also connected to bus 1206via an interface, such as a video adapter 1246. In addition to displaydevice 1244, computer 1200 may include other peripheral output devices(not shown) such as speakers and printers.

Computer 1200 is connected to a network 1248 (e.g., the Internet)through a network interface or adapter 1250, a modem 1252, or othermeans for establishing communications over the network. Modem 1252,which may be internal or external, is connected to bus 1206 via serialport interface 1242.

As used herein, the terms “computer program medium” and“computer-readable storage medium” are used to generally refer to media(e.g., non-transitory media) such as the hard disk associated with harddisk drive 1214, removable magnetic disk 1218, removable optical disk1222, as well as other media such as flash memory cards, digital videodisks, random access memories (RAMs), read only memories (ROM), and thelike. Such computer-readable storage media are distinguished from andnon-overlapping with communication media (do not include communicationmedia). Communication media embodies computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media, as well as wired media.Example embodiments are also directed to such communication media.

As noted above, computer programs and modules (including applicationprograms 1232 and other program modules 1234) may be stored on the harddisk, magnetic disk, optical disk, ROM, or RAM. Such computer programsmay also be received via network interface 1250 or serial port interface1242. Such computer programs, when executed or loaded by an application,enable computer 1200 to implement features of embodiments discussedherein. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of thecomputer 1200.

Example embodiments are also directed to computer program productscomprising software (e.g., computer-readable instructions) stored on anycomputer-useable medium. Such software, when executed in one or moredata processing devices, causes data processing device(s) to operate asdescribed herein. Embodiments may employ any computer-useable orcomputer-readable medium, known now or in the future. Examples ofcomputer-readable mediums include, but are not limited to storagedevices such as RAM, hard drives, floppy disks, CD ROMs, DVD ROMs, zipdisks, tapes, magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices,MEMS-based storage devices, nanotechnology-based storage devices, andthe like.

It will be recognized that the disclosed technologies are not limited toany particular computer or type of hardware. Certain details of suitablecomputers and hardware are well known and need not be set forth indetail in this disclosure.

IV. Further Discussion of Some Example Embodiments

A first example computing device includes a plurality of input devices,mechanically-activated switch(es), a hinge, a locking assembly, and acontroller. The plurality of input devices are configured to receive oneor more inputs from a user. The plurality of input devices comprise atouchpad having a touch surface that is configured to receive a touchinput from the user. The mechanically-activated switch(es) are disposedadjacent to a first end of the touchpad. The mechanically-activatedswitch(es) are configured to be activated based at least in part on thetouch input causing the touchpad to depress the mechanically-activatedswitch(es). The hinge is coupled to a second end of the touchpad that isopposite the first end of the touchpad that is configured to pivot aboutthe hinge. The locking assembly is configured to selectivelymechanically inhibit the activation of the mechanically-activatedswitch(es) by inhibiting the touchpad from pivoting about the hingebased at least in part on a control signal. The controller is configuredto cause the locking assembly to mechanically inhibit the activation ofthe mechanically-activated switch(es) by providing the control signal tothe locking assembly based at least in part on the one or more inputs ofthe plurality of input devices.

In a first aspect of the first example computing device, the controlleris configured to cause the locking assembly to mechanically inhibit theactivation of the one or more mechanically-activated switches byproviding the control signal to the locking assembly based at least inpart on at least one of a processor input or an operating system inputtriggered by at least one of the one or more inputs from the user.

In a second aspect of the first example computing device, the lockingassembly comprises one or more latches configured to inhibit thetouchpad from traveling toward the one or more mechanically-activatedswitches by physically blocking a travel-path of the touchpad based atleast in part on receipt of the control signal from the controller. Thesecond aspect of the first example computing device may be implementedin combination with the first aspect of the first example computingdevice, though the example embodiments are not limited in this respect.

In a first implementation of the second aspect of the first examplecomputing device, the locking assembly is configured to cause the one ormore latches to physically block the travel-path of the first end of thetouchpad by extending one or more portions of the one or more latchesalong an axis that is substantially parallel to the touch surface suchthat the one or more portions block the travel-path of the touchpad.

In a second implementation of the second aspect of the first examplecomputing device, the locking assembly is configured to cause the one ormore latches to physically block the travel-path of the first end of thetouchpad by extending one or more portions of the one or more latchesalong an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the touch surfacesuch that the one or more portions block the travel-path of thetouchpad.

In a third implementation of the second aspect of the first examplecomputing device, wherein the one or more latches comprise at least oneshape-memory alloy configured to at least one of (a) extend into thetravel-path of the touchpad or (b) extend such that the shape-memoryalloy pushes at least one inhibiting element into the travel-path of thetouchpad, based at least in part on receipt of the control signal fromthe controller.

In a third aspect of the first example computing device, the lockingassembly comprises one or more actuatable elements that at leastpartially encircle the one or more mechanically-activated switches. Theone or more actuatable elements are configured to inhibit the touchpadfrom traveling toward the one or more mechanically-activated switches byphysically engaging a surface of the touchpad that is opposite the touchsurface of the touchpad based at least in part on receipt of the controlsignal from the controller. The third aspect of the first examplecomputing device may be implemented in combination with the first and/orsecond aspect of the first example computing device, though the exampleembodiments are not limited in this respect.

In an implementation of the third aspect of the first example computingdevice, each of the one or more actuatable elements comprises apiezoelectric element.

In a fourth aspect of the first example computing device, the controlleris configured to cause the locking assembly to mechanically inhibit theactivation of the one or more mechanically-activated switches based atleast in part on: (a) detection, at the touchpad, of a scrolling inputhaving a depression force that is greater than or equal to a depressionforce threshold, (b) detection, at the touchpad, of a long-durationpressure input having a force that is greater than or equal to thedepression force threshold, (c) detection of a long-duration pressureinput over a surface area that is greater than a surface area threshold,or (d) detection of three or more simultaneous pressure points on thetouch surface. The fourth aspect of the first example computing devicemay be implemented in combination with the first, second, and/or thirdaspect of the first example computing device, though the exampleembodiments are not limited in this respect.

A second example computing device includes a plurality of input devices,mechanically-activated switch(es), a scissor mechanism, a lockingassembly, and a controller. The plurality of input devices areconfigured to receive one or more inputs from a user. The plurality ofinput devices comprise a touchpad that is configured to receive a touchinput from the user. The mechanically-activated switch(es) arepositioned adjacent to the touchpad. The mechanically-activatedswitch(es) are configured to be activated based at least in part on thetouch input causing the touchpad to depress the mechanically-activatedswitch(es). The scissor mechanism is coupled to a structure of thecomputing device and to the touchpad. The scissor mechanism comprisesfirst and second linkages configured to be foldable at a pivoting point.The locking assembly configured to selectively inhibit the touchpad fromdepressing the one or more mechanically-activated switches by inhibitingthe scissor mechanism from folding depending on whether the lockingassembly is actuated. The controller is configured to selectivelyactuate the locking assembly to inhibit the touchpad from depressing theone or more mechanically-activated switches based at least in part onthe one or more inputs from the user.

In a first aspect of the second example computing device, the controlleris configured to cause the locking assembly to mechanically inhibit theactivation of the one or more mechanically-activated switches byproviding the control signal to the locking assembly based at least inpart on at least one of a processor input or an operating system inputtriggered by at least one of the one or more inputs from the user

In a second aspect of the second example computing device, the secondexample computing device further comprises a sensor coupled to thetouchpad. The sensor is configured to determine an input mode of thetouch input and further configured to detect a depression force of thetouch input. In accordance with the second aspect, the controller isconfigured to selectively actuate the locking assembly to inhibit thetouchpad based at least in part on (a) the one or more inputs not beingreceived by the touchpad, (b) the depression force of the touch inputexceeding a depression force threshold and the input mode comprising ascrolling input, (b) the input mode comprising a long-duration pressureinput over a surface area that is greater than a surface area threshold,or (c) the input mode comprising three or more distinct pressurelocations on a surface of the touchpad. The second aspect of the secondexample computing device may be implemented in combination with thefirst aspect of the second example computing device, though the exampleembodiments are not limited in this respect.

In a third aspect of the second example computing device, the scissormechanism is configured to support the touchpad over the one or moremechanically-activated switches. The scissor mechanism is furtherconfigured to translate the touchpad based at least in part on the firstand second linkages being folded at the pivoting point. The third aspectof the second example computing device may be implemented in combinationwith the first and/or second aspect of the second example computingdevice, though the example embodiments are not limited in this respect.

In a fourth aspect of the second example computing device, the lockingassembly comprises one or more latches configured to selectively inhibitthe touchpad from depressing the one or more mechanically-activatedswitches by pressing against the scissor mechanism to inhibit thescissor mechanism from folding depending on whether the locking assemblyis actuated. The fourth aspect of the second example computing devicemay be implemented in combination with the first, second, and/or thirdaspect of the second example computing device, though the exampleembodiments are not limited in this respect.

In a fifth aspect of the second example computing device, the lockingassembly comprises one or more latches configured to selectively inhibitthe touchpad from depressing the one or more mechanically-activatedswitches, by pressing against the touchpad to physically block atravel-path of the touchpad, depending on whether the locking assemblyis actuated. The fifth aspect of the second example computing device maybe implemented in combination with the first, second, third aspect,and/or fourth aspect of the second example computing device, though theexample embodiments are not limited in this respect.

In an implementation of the fifth aspect of the second example computingdevice, the locking assembly comprises at least one shape-memory alloyconfigured to at least one of (a) extend into a travel-path of thetouchpad or (b) extend such that the shape-memory alloy pushes at leastone inhibiting element into the travel-path of the touchpad, based atleast in part on the locking assembly being actuated.

In a sixth aspect of the second example computing device, the lockingassembly comprises one or more actuatable elements at least partiallyencircling the one or more mechanically-activated switches. Inaccordance with the sixth aspect, the one or more actuatable elementsare configured to selectively inhibit the touchpad from depressing theone or more mechanically-activated switches, by physically engaging asurface of the touchpad that is opposite a touch surface of thetouchpad, depending on whether the locking assembly is actuated. Infurther accordance with the sixth aspect, the touch surface isconfigured to receive the touch input. The sixth aspect of the secondexample computing device may be implemented in combination with thefirst, second, third aspect, fourth, and/or fifth aspect of the secondexample computing device, though the example embodiments are not limitedin this respect.

In a first implementation of the sixth aspect of the second examplecomputing device, each of the one or more actuatable elements comprisesa surface having an opening that encircles one of the one or moremechanically-activated switches.

In a second implementation of the sixth aspect of the second examplecomputing device, each of the one or more actuatable elements comprisesa piezoelectric element.

In a first example method for limiting inadvertent actuations of atouchpad, one or more inputs from a user are received at one or moreuser interfaces of a computing device. The touchpad is selectivelyinhibited from depressing one or more mechanically-activated switchesthat are disposed adjacent to a first end of the touchpad by inhibitingthe touchpad from pivoting about a pivot point of a hinge that iscoupled to a second end of the touchpad that is opposite the first endof the touchpad based at least in part on the one or more inputs fromthe user.

In an aspect of the first example method, selectively inhibiting thetouchpad from depressing the one or more mechanically-activated switchescomprises selectively increasing a force threshold associated with thetouchpad to an increased force threshold to inhibit the touchpad fromdepressing the one or more mechanically-activated switches. Inaccordance with this aspect, the force threshold indicates an amount offorce associated with an input received at the touchpad that is requiredto cause the touchpad to depress the one or more mechanically-activatedswitches. In further accordance with this aspect, selectively inhibitingthe touchpad from depressing the one or more mechanically-activatedswitches further comprises allowing the touchpad to depress the one ormore mechanically-activated switches based at least in part on a forceof an input that is received at the touchpad exceeding the increasedforce threshold.

In a second example method for limiting inadvertent actuations of atouchpad, one or more inputs from a user are received at one or moreuser interfaces of a computing device. The touchpad is selectivelyinhibited from depressing one or more mechanically-activated switchesthat are disposed adjacent to the touchpad by inhibiting a scissormechanism that is supporting the touch pad from folding about a pivotpoint based at least in part on the one or more inputs from the user.The scissor mechanism is coupled to a structure of the computing deviceand to the touchpad. The scissor mechanism comprises first and secondlinkages configured to be foldable at the pivoting point.

In an aspect of the second example method, selectively inhibiting thetouchpad from depressing the one or more mechanically-activated switchescomprises selectively increasing a force threshold associated with thetouchpad to an increased force threshold to inhibit the touchpad fromdepressing the one or more mechanically-activated switches. Inaccordance with this aspect, the force threshold indicates an amount offorce associated with an input received at the touchpad that is requiredto cause the touchpad to depress the one or more mechanically-activatedswitches. In further accordance with this aspect, selectively inhibitingthe touchpad from depressing the one or more mechanically-activatedswitches further comprises allowing the touchpad to depress the one ormore mechanically-activated switches based at least in part on a forceof an input that is received at the touchpad exceeding the increasedforce threshold.

V. Conclusion

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or acts, it is to be understood that the subjectmatter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to thespecific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific featuresand acts described above are disclosed as examples of implementing theclaims, and other equivalent features and acts are intended to be withinthe scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computing device comprising: a plurality ofinput devices configured to receive one or more inputs from a user, theplurality of input devices comprising a touchpad having a touch surface,the touch surface configured to receive a touch input from the user; oneor more mechanically-activated switches disposed adjacent to a first endof the touchpad, the one or more mechanically-activated switchesconfigured to be activated based at least in part on the touch inputcausing the touchpad to depress the one or more mechanically-activatedswitches; a hinge coupled to a second end of the touchpad that isopposite the first end of the touchpad, the touchpad is configured topivot about the hinge; a locking assembly configured to selectivelymechanically inhibit activation of the one or moremechanically-activated switches by inhibiting the touchpad from pivotingabout the hinge based at least in part on a control signal; and acontroller configured to cause the locking assembly to mechanicallyinhibit the activation of the one or more mechanically-activatedswitches by providing the control signal to the locking assembly basedat least in part on the one or more inputs of the plurality of inputdevices.
 2. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the controller isconfigured to cause the locking assembly to mechanically inhibit theactivation of the one or more mechanically-activated switches byproviding the control signal to the locking assembly based at least inpart on at least one of a processor input or an operating system inputtriggered by at least one of the one or more inputs from the user. 3.The computing device of claim 1, wherein the locking assembly comprises:one or more latches configured to inhibit the touchpad from travelingtoward the one or more mechanically-activated switches by physicallyblocking a travel-path of the touchpad based at least in part on receiptof the control signal from the controller.
 4. The computing device ofclaim 3, wherein the locking assembly is configured to cause the one ormore latches to physically block the travel-path of the first end of thetouchpad by extending one or more portions of the one or more latchesalong an axis that is substantially parallel to the touch surface suchthat the one or more portions block the travel-path of the touchpad. 5.The computing device of claim 3, wherein the locking assembly isconfigured to cause the one or more latches to physically block thetravel-path of the first end of the touchpad by extending one or moreportions of the one or more latches along an axis that is substantiallyperpendicular to the touch surface such that the one or more portionsblock the travel-path of the touchpad.
 6. The computing device of claim3, wherein the one or more latches comprise: at least one shape-memoryalloy configured to at least one of (a) extend into the travel-path ofthe touchpad or (b) extend such that the shape-memory alloy pushes atleast one inhibiting element into the travel-path of the touchpad, basedat least in part on receipt of the control signal from the controller.7. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the locking assemblycomprises: one or more actuatable elements that at least partiallyencircle the one or more mechanically-activated switches; and whereinthe one or more actuatable elements are configured to inhibit thetouchpad from traveling toward the one or more mechanically-activatedswitches by physically engaging a surface of the touchpad that isopposite the touch surface of the touchpad based at least in part onreceipt of the control signal from the controller.
 8. The computingdevice of claim 7, wherein each of the one or more actuatable elementscomprises a piezoelectric element.
 9. The computing device of claim 1,wherein the controller is configured to cause the locking assembly tomechanically inhibit the activation of the one or moremechanically-activated switches based at least in part on: (a)detection, at the touchpad, of a scrolling input having a depressionforce that is greater than or equal to a depression force threshold, (b)detection, at the touchpad, of a long-duration pressure input having aforce that is greater than or equal to the depression force threshold,(c) detection of a long-duration pressure input over a surface area thatis greater than a surface area threshold, or (d) detection of three ormore simultaneous pressure points on the touch surface.
 10. A computingdevice comprising: a plurality of input devices configured to receiveone or more inputs from a user, the plurality of input devicescomprising a touchpad having a touch surface, the touch surfaceconfigured to receive a touch input from the user; one or moremechanically-activated switches positioned adjacent to the touchpad, theone or more mechanically-activated switches configured to be activatedbased at least in part on the touch input causing the touchpad todepress the one or more mechanically-activated switches; a scissormechanism coupled to a structure of the computing device and to thetouchpad, the scissor mechanism comprising first and second linkagesconfigured to be foldable at a pivoting point; a locking assemblyconfigured to selectively inhibit the touchpad from depressing the oneor more mechanically-activated switches by inhibiting the scissormechanism from folding depending on whether the locking assembly isactuated; and a controller configured to selectively actuate the lockingassembly to inhibit the touchpad from depressing the one or moremechanically-activated switches based at least in part on the one ormore inputs from the user.
 11. The computing device of claim 10, whereinthe controller is configured to cause the locking assembly tomechanically inhibit the activation of the one or moremechanically-activated switches by providing the control signal to thelocking assembly based at least in part on at least one of a processorinput or an operating system input triggered by at least one of the oneor more inputs from the user.
 12. The computing device of claim 10,further comprising: a sensor coupled to the touchpad, the sensorconfigured to determine an input mode of the touch input and furtherconfigured to detect a depression force of the touch input; wherein thecontroller is configured to selectively actuate the locking assembly toinhibit the touchpad based at least in part on (a) the one or moreinputs not being received by the touchpad, (b) the depression force ofthe touch input exceeding a depression force threshold and the inputmode comprising a scrolling input, (b) the input mode comprising along-duration pressure input over a surface area that is greater than asurface area threshold, or (c) the input mode comprising three or moredistinct pressure locations on a surface of the touchpad.
 13. Thecomputing device of claim 10, wherein the scissor mechanism isconfigured to support the touchpad over the one or moremechanically-activated switches; and wherein the scissor mechanism isfurther configured to translate the touchpad based at least in part onthe first and second linkages being folded at the pivoting point. 14.The computing device of claim 10, wherein the locking assemblycomprises: one or more latches configured to selectively inhibit thetouchpad from depressing the one or more mechanically-activated switchesby pressing against the scissor mechanism to inhibit the scissormechanism from folding depending on whether the locking assembly isactuated.
 15. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the lockingassembly comprises: one or more latches configured to selectivelyinhibit the touchpad from depressing the one or moremechanically-activated switches, by pressing against the touchpad tophysically block a travel-path of the touchpad, depending on whether thelocking assembly is actuated.
 16. The computing device of claim 15,wherein the locking assembly comprises: at least one shape-memory alloyconfigured to at least one of (a) extend into a travel-path of thetouchpad or (b) extend such that the shape-memory alloy pushes at leastone inhibiting element into the travel-path of the touchpad, based atleast in part on the locking assembly being actuated.
 17. The computingdevice of claim 10, wherein the locking assembly comprises: one or moreactuatable elements at least partially encircling the one or moremechanically-activated switches; and wherein the one or more actuatableelements are configured to selectively inhibit the touchpad fromdepressing the one or more mechanically-activated switches, byphysically engaging a surface of the touchpad that is opposite the touchsurface of the touchpad, depending on whether the locking assembly isactuated.
 18. The computing device of claim 17, wherein each of the oneor more actuatable elements comprises a surface having an opening thatencircles one of the one or more mechanically-activated switches. 19.The computing device of claim 17, wherein each of the one or moreactuatable elements comprises a piezoelectric element.
 20. A method oflimiting inadvertent actuations of a touchpad that is included in acomputing device, the method comprising: receiving one or more inputs atone or more user interfaces of the computing device from a user; andselectively inhibiting the touchpad from depressing one or moremechanically-activated switches that are disposed adjacent to a firstend of the touchpad by inhibiting the touchpad from pivoting about apivot point of a hinge that is coupled to a second end of the touchpadthat is opposite the first end of the touchpad based at least in part onthe one or more inputs from the user.
 21. The method of claim 20,wherein selectively inhibiting the touchpad from depressing the one ormore mechanically-activated switches comprises: selectively increasing aforce threshold associated with the touchpad to an increased forcethreshold to inhibit the touchpad from depressing the one or moremechanically-activated switches, the force threshold indicating anamount of force associated with an input received at the touchpad thatis required to cause the touchpad to depress the one or moremechanically-activated switches; and allowing the touchpad to depressthe one or more mechanically-activated switches based at least in parton a force of an input that is received at the touchpad exceeding theincreased force threshold.